CostIndexUSA

Dayton, OH vs Springfield, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOH
Dayton
92.7
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
MA
Springfield
96.1
overall index
$1,925/mo rent

Dayton is slightly cheaper than Springfield — 3.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $82,900 in Springfield. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+4.3%
Dayton
72.7
Springfield
75.8
🛒 Groceries+3.6%
Dayton
93.6
Springfield
97
🚗 Transportation+2.3%
Dayton
103.9
Springfield
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+2.2%
Dayton
94
Springfield
96.1
Utilities+62.5%
Dayton
95.4
Springfield
155

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Dayton to see what you'd need to earn in Springfield to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Springfield, MA
$82,900
$2,900 more needed in Springfield

Formula: salary × (96.1 ÷ 92.7) = salary × 1.0367. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Dayton, OH

Median Home Price
$360,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
72.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.1×

Springfield, MA

Median Home Price
$356,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,925
Housing Index
75.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4×

Springfield has 4.3% higher housing costs compared to Dayton.

Income & Job Market

Dayton, OH

Median Household Income
$67,100
Per Capita Income
$38,200
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
137,630
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareMilitaryEducationGovernment

Springfield, MA

Median Household Income
$67,000
Per Capita Income
$38,200
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
155,929
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Dayton, OH
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Springfield, MA
2.9×income-to-rent ratio

66% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.